University of North Georgia Athletics

On the 14^th anniversary of the September 11^th attacks on the United States, the University of North Georgia Department of Athletics announced a perpetual military initiative called OPERATION NIGHTHAWKS OF HONOR where each of the department's sports teams will annually celebrate the men and women of our military who have bravely served or are serving our country, paying specific tribute to service members that have a distinct connection to UNG.

Operation Nighthawks of Honor was bestowed the NCAA's highest honor when it was awarded the NCAA Award of Excellence at the 2017 NCAA National Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

The department's annual Military Appreciation Days will now take on the OPERATION NIGHTHAWKS OF HONOR theme as the department honors all military service members. Additionally, each of the department's intercollegiate teams will pay a season-long tribute to a UNG service member that heroically served their country. The teams will honor these heroes in their own special way ranging from displaying a commemorative jersey at games, jersey patches worn by current players, initials on team hats and other acts of remembrance that honors those that have served our country with honor and distinction.

The award-winning initiative will culminate with an OPERATION NIGHTHAWKS OF HONOR ceremony when the season's honorees and/or their families will be recognized. Some of the mementos used by the Nighthawk teams will also be raffled off in a silent auction with all proceeds benefiting the UNG Corps of Cadets Endowment Fund.

One of only six federally designated senior military colleges in the nation, UNG carries the distinction of The Military College of Georgia and its nationally recognized Army ROTC program attracts students from across the state, region and nation.

UNG has commissioned more than 50 General Officers, ten of whom are currently serving in a variety of command positions including: Commander (Third Army/ARCENT), Commander (XVIII Airborne Corps), Deputy Commander (U.S. Army Europe), Commander U.S. Cyber Command and many more. Many other alumni of UNG completed successful military careers and hundreds are currently serving on active duty today at all levels of command.

 

Operation Nighthawks of Honor Historical Archives
October 16, 2024	Story	UNG Athletics to Pay Tribute to COL (Ret.) Wayne Dill for Annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor Initiative
January 11, 2023	Photo Gallery	Eighth Annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor Ceremony
August 19, 2022	Story	UNG Athletics to Pay Tribute to COL (Ret) Ben Malcom for Annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor Initiative
April 9, 2022	Photo Gallery	Seventh Annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor Ceremony
November 10, 2021	Story	UNG Athletics to Pay Tribute to Adam Stead for Annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor Initiative
September 21, 2020	Photo Gallery	Sixth Annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor Ceremony
September 21, 2020	Story	UNG Athletics to Pay Tribute to 1st Lt. Weston C. Lee for Annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor Initiative
March 2, 2020	Story	COL (R) Gerald Lord Honored In Operation Nighthawks of Honor Ceremony
March 2, 2020	Video	Fifth Annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor Ceremony
March 2, 2020	Photo Gallery	Fifth Annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor Ceremony
December 12, 2019	Story	UNG Athletics Set to Honor COL (R) Gerald Lord as Part of Annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor Initiative
July 5, 2019	Story	UNG Kicks Off 2019 Operation Nighthawks of Honor Merchandise Auction
January 10, 2019	Video	Fourth Annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor Ceremony
January 10, 2019	Photo Gallery	Fourth Annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor Ceremony
January 8, 2019	Story	ESPN3 Stage Set For #UNGBlueOut & Operation Nighthawks of Honor
September 17, 2018	Story	UNG Athletics Set to Commemorate Korean War During Operation Nighthawks of Honor Ceremony
June 25, 2018	Story	Third Annual Memorabilia Online Auction Comes to a Close
May 31, 2018	Story	UNG Kicks Off Operation Nighthawks of Honor Memorabilia Auction
October 18, 2017	Photo Gallery	Third Annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor Ceremony
October 13, 2017	Story	UNG Athletics Prepares For Third Annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor Ceremony
April 1, 2017	Photo Gallery	Second Annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor Ceremony
March 28, 2017	Story	UNG Set To Host Second Annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor Ceremony - WWII Veterans
January 21, 2017	Story	UNG's Operation Nighthawks of Honor Wins 2017 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence
April 1, 2016	Photo Gallery	Inaugural Operation Nighthawks of Honor Ceremony
September 11, 2015	Story	UNG Launches Operation Nighthawks of Honor Initiative